LSTVWW

Tag: lifestyle

  • A Lagos Homecoming: This Is Us Opens Its Flagship in Grand Style

    A Lagos Homecoming: This Is Us Opens Its Flagship in Grand Style

    THIS IS US™ has officially opened its flagship store in Onikan, Lagos Island, marking a defining moment for one of Nigeria’s most respected homegrown design brands. The opening preview took place during Art Week on November 8th, bringing together friends of the brand, collaborators, loyal customers, and members of the international art community for a first look.

    Set inside a newly restored three-story tropical modernist building, the space reflects the brand’s ethos Live Work Wear for the Conscious Creative through thoughtful architecture, craftsmanship, and a deep sense of community. Just steps from the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History and sitting behind the brand’s manufacturing studio, the flagship lives at the heart of a growing creative district alongside IAMISIGO and Plan B Lagos.

    Originally designed in the 1970s by architect Akintunde Tejuoso, the building has been reinvented in collaboration with Papa Omotayo and the MOE+ Art Architecture team. The result is a multifunctional home for design that feels rooted in heritage yet firmly pointed toward the future.

    Inside, the flagship unfolds across three key spaces: a retail floor showcasing THIS IS US pieces alongside carefully selected homegrown design brands, a Maker Studio centred on craft and textile experimentation, and a Creative Residence set to open in March 2026.

    Throughout the building, visitors encounter design and art pieces from some of the brand’s closest creative collaborators including Omi Collective, Nmbello Studios, Butlers Archive, Fantastic Plastic, IAMISIGO Home, and visual artists Sola Olulode and Fiyin Koko. Photographer Daniel Uwaga captures every detail with intimate clarity, documenting the textures and atmosphere that define the space.

    A highlight is the THIS IS US Wall of Fame, an ongoing installation featuring photographs of the community that has shaped the brand over the years. It stands as a tribute to the people who live with the clothes, grow with the brand, and continue to inspire its evolution.

    “We wanted to create a space that feels like home, a place where people can linger, have fun, and take it all in,” say founders Oroma and Osione Itegboje. “This building represents where we started, who we’ve become, and the people who made it possible.”

    Founded in 2016 after a journey across Northern Nigeria, THIS IS US has remained rooted in process, people, and place. Their signature textiles are woven from Nigerian cotton and hand-dyed in the ancient indigo pits of Kofar Mata, linking farmers, dyers, tailors, and designers across generations.

    The flagship extends this chain of craft, offering visitors a full experience of the brand: the beloved Funtua tees, uniform wear inspired by dye-pit and workshop artisans, cross-disciplinary collaborations with IAMISIGO, Waf, PITH, and Dye Lab, and home accessories that widen the brand’s design language.

    Through this new home, THIS IS US reinforces its commitment to longevity, zero-waste design, re-dye services, and creative exchange. The flagship invites guests to step into their world, slow down, and experience Nigerian design at its most intentional.

    THIS IS US House
    19A Military Street, Onikan, Lagos Island
    Tuesday to Saturday: 10am to 6pm
    Sunday: 12pm to 6pm

  • From Lagos to the MET: Orange Culture’s Vision Lands on Brian Tyree Henry

    From Lagos to the MET: Orange Culture’s Vision Lands on Brian Tyree Henry

    In conversation with The Orange Nerd ( Adebayo Oke Lawal) of Orange Culture

    This year, the MET Gala had Africa shining through its lens — from homegrown designers and stylists to A-list African artists ( Tems, Ayra Starr, Tyla and Burna Boy) on the red carpet, showing the world what true dandyism looks like through innovative designs, bold silhouettes, and undeniable elegance. Africa was boldly represented.

    One major highlight of the night? Nigerian-based couture fashion house Orange Culture, led by Adebayo Oke-Lawal (aka The Orange Nerd), styling Oscar nominated Hollywood star Brian Tyree Henry in a regal homage that celebrated both the brand’s African roots and André Leon Talley’s fearless love of Blackness and fashion. The result? A fan favourite and, not gonna lie, one of my favourite looks of the night.

    In this conversation, The Orange Nerd gives us a deep dive into the creative process behind the piece, connecting it to Orange Culture’s brand ethos and this year’s MET Gala theme: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.

    LSTV – How did this all come about? Orange Culture boldly represented at the 2025 Met Gala.

    It was a surreal and deeply meaningful moment for Orange Culture. The opportunity to dress Brian Tyree Henry came through his team who reached out via the amazing team at Vogue. They had been following our work and felt that our aesthetic aligned with this year’s Met Gala theme. We were incredibly intentional about the creative direction, and as we developed the look, André Leon Talley became a central reference in our moodboard. His legacy, his regal presence, and his fearless celebration of Black identity and fashion were guiding lights throughout the process. We wanted the piece to reflect that same grandeur while incorporating Nigerian elements such as our signature Agbada draped robe, textile that reminded you of Lagos in this case the brocade , and a sense of poetic but clean tailoring. It was a true meeting point of shared values—style as expression, identity as power.

    “André Leon Talley became a central reference in our moodboard. His legacy, his regal presence, and his fearless celebration of Black identity and fashion were guiding lights throughout the process“

    LSTV: I mean, Lagos is no stranger to these idea. As a Lagos boy myself , going to any ceremony without your àṣọ ẹbí? Taboo. From street-side tailors crafting sharp fits with authentic raw African fabrics like ankára, lèsè, or even àṣọ òkè — Africa has always been at the center of dandyism. That’s exactly why the team at Vogue, alongside Barry’s crew, tapped the couture house to bring this vision

    LSTV: How did it connect to the theme of the Gala and let Africa shine through?

    The theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrates Black dandyism and self-expression. Our design for Brian Tyree Henry was a homage to this, intertwining traditional African references with contemporary tailoring. It was a celebration of African elegance, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Black identity, aligning seamlessly with the Gala’s exploration of Black sartorial excellence

    LSTV: What does this mean for Orange Culture, being at the 2025 Met Gala?

    For Orange Culture , this moment signifies a milestone . Being part of the Met Gala, especially with a theme that celebrates Black style and dandyism, reinforces our commitment to telling authentic African stories through fashion. It’s a testament to our journey from Lagos to the global stage, showcasing that African brands can lead in redefining narratives and aesthetics in the fashion world.

    ⁠LSTV: What does this mean for African fashion?

    Our presence at the Met Gala as well as the presence of my amazing colleagues underscores the global recognition of African fashion’s depth and diversity. It highlights how African designers are not just participants but are shaping global fashion dialogues. This event amplifies the voices of African creatives, emphasizing that our heritage and innovation are integral to the global fashion narrative. I think there is space for more of us and I truly hope this opens that door!

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    LSTV: What would you say to young designers and fashion entrepreneurs looking at opportunities like this in doubt

    Believe in the power of your narrative. Authenticity is your strength. The journey may be challenging, but moments like this affirm that staying true to your vision can lead to open doors. Embrace your heritage, innovate fearlessly, and remember that your unique perspective is invaluable in enriching the global fashion landscape.

    Images by Jessica KourKounis

    @kourkounis

    By Lanre for LSTVWW